LPVD*A (Antoine Guignard) – Portrait of Carme Vila

An intervention by Antoine Guignard that pays tribute to Carme Vila, a key figure of Torre Baró, using a unique technique based on material removal as an act of memory.

The artist: LPVD*A (Antoine Guignard)

Antoine Guignard, known artistically as LPVD*A, began his career in graffiti and has developed over the years an entirely singular artistic language. He currently works primarily on aged wood, using a technique he defines as street-poncing.

Unlike traditional painting, in his practice matter is not added but removed: Antoine scrapes, polishes and eliminates layers of the surface to reveal images. This process produces expressive portraits in sepia tones, full of depth, texture and time. Inspired by chalets and vernacular architecture from his home country, his work establishes a direct link between material, memory and territory, turning each piece into an exercise of revelation rather than representation.

The artwork: “Portrait of Carme Vila”

Location: Carrer de Castellví, 40, Torre Baró, Nou Barris, Barcelona.

The Portrait of Carme Vila is a tribute to a key figure in the recent history of Torre Baró. Carme Vila played an essential role in the local neighborhood association, working tirelessly to improve the community’s living conditions. Although often remembered as the wife of activist Manolo Vital, protagonist of the well-known “bus 47 accident,” Vila stood out for her own sustained commitment, acting as the voice of the neighborhood and promoting key initiatives in education and women’s literacy.

The artwork is constructed on aged wood, a material rich in history, on which the artist integrates Carme Vila’s name into the composition. The portrait traces life stages through a spiral full of symbols evoking the highs and lows of social commitment, north and south axes, earth and air. At the end of this symbolic journey, Carme Vila’s face emerges, precisely polished on the aged wood, as the culmination of a life marked by struggle, advocacy, and collective commitment.

The material-removal technique reinforces the meaning of the tribute: the image does not impose itself, but emerges through time, patient work, and the memory accumulated in the material, establishing a direct parallel with the protagonist’s life journey.

NOU Sentit Urbà: urban art in the Nou Barris distric

This intervention is part of the 18 artistic actions of the NOU Sentit Urbà project, promoted by Barcelona City Council and produced by Rebobinart, with the collaboration of the Nou Barris District and local neighborhood communities.
The project recovers collective memories and local identities through murals, installations, and participatory processes, addressing themes such as older age, sustainability, migration, neighborhood women, vernacular architecture, or sport as a force for cohesion. Each intervention adds a piece to Nou Barris’ shared story, reinforcing the value of memory and the role of urban art as a tool for social transformation.